Krrish stars share filming experiences; special tours launched

He performed his own stunts, she’s fallen in love with Singapore and the movie is being dedicated to all Singaporeans.
 
So goes the story behind the making of Krrish, the first Indian mega movie to be filmed in Singapore under the Singapore Tourism Board’s Film in Singapore! Scheme. About 60 per cent of the movie was shot at locations such as the Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay, Chinatown, Sentosa and Orchard Road.

Director Rakesh Roshan said, “The diversity of scenes made Singapore an obvious choice when I was considering locations. It is a decision that has paid off handsomely. It was a breeze filming in Singapore, thanks to its efficiency and well developed infrastructure. Krrish showcases Singapore in a very unique light and I’m proud to show that to audiences the world over.”

And he added, “Everywhere we went, we met Singaporeans who were very warm and supportive of our project. In fact, I’m dedicating Krrish to the friendly people of Singapore.”

The director as well as Bollywood stars Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra, were in Singapore recently to publicise the worldwide release of Krrish. Singapore is the first of their publicity stops for Krrish, followed by Dubai and London.

Krrish is the sequel to the 2004 hit, Koi Mil Gaya. In Krrish, an athletic Hritik performed all the major stunts for the physically demanding role himself, including jumping from bumboat to bumboat along the historic Singapore River while in pursuit of the film’s villain, Dr Siddhant Arya, played by veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah.

Showing the results of intensive training in Shanghai with Chinese stunt director Tony Ching, Hrithik also ran the circumference of the towering Fountain of Wealth at Suntec City and flew up to the historic cast iron clock tower at Lau Pa Sat Festival Market, the last scene of which made headlines when he fell after a cable snapped.

Hrithik said, “The media went to town with it, saying I had a near-death experience when I had only suffered minor cuts and bruises. On the whole, the filming had proceeded smoothly. I’ve always enjoyed visiting Singapore and meeting the fans here. Being able to film here for the first time is extra special. I’m glad to share Singapore with audiences worldwide through Krrish.”

The stunning Priyanka plays Hrithik’s love interest, a broadcast journalist named Priya. It was the former Miss World’s first extended visit to Singapore after a brief stopover previously.

She said: “I saw a lot of Singapore as the Krrish shoot took us to many locations, including attractions like the famous Singapore Zoo. I loved Sentosa too for its beaches, waterfront eateries and its fun holiday atmosphere.”

The endorsement of some of Bollywood’s leading lights is a boost to the STB Film in Singapore! Scheme, which has supported 10 productions to date. Apart from Krrish, other recent productions are the 13-part Singapore-Indonesia television drama Alya, as well as Singapore Dreaming, a film by 5C Film and Dr Woffles Wu which premiered at the 19th Singapore International Film Festival in March 2006.

Said Mr Ken Low, STB’s Assistant Chief Executive (Brand and Communications), “The STB is glad that more film-makers are choosing Singapore as the location for their productions, ranging from a blockbuster like Krrish to smaller but no less interesting ones like Singapore Dreaming and Alya. Singapore offers a unique blend of the east and west, the best of the modern world and rich multi-cultures and traditions. This is an interesting setting that I hope film-makers the world over will tap for their projects.”

To mark the movie’s release on 23 June, special Krrish tours of Singapore will be available. The itinerary traces the movie trail and uncovers the interesting locales such as the Singapore Zoo where they come face to face with the Orang Utans, explore Sentosa where one of the Krrish soundtracks was filmed at and to the numerous venues where the daredevil stunts were performed, such as Suntec City, Lau Pa Sat Festival Market, and the Singapore River.

Tie-ups have been sealed with Singapore ground operators to present visitors with a truly unique experience as they relive the Krrish experience firsthand. Special value adds such as a limited edition Krrish T-shirt with Hrithik Roshan’s signature as well as free movie ticket in Singapore to watch Krrish comes with every Krrish package sold through leading tour operators such as Cox and Kings, Thomas Cook and Raj Travels throughout India.